Wilmes said Belgium residents should learn to live with the virus but warned against a “widespread slackening” of the basic social-distancing rules. Starting next month, Belgium no longer will require wearing a mask outdoors except in crowded places where social distancing cannot be practiced. “The virus is still there, but life must continue in an adapted way to try to control this epidemic,” Wilmes said. The prime minister also announced that everyone can now have close physical contact with up to five people from outside their households each month. Belgium reported a daily average of 1,374 new confirmed virus cases during the week of Sept. 13-19, and the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients also went up.

Source: ABC News September 23, 2020 16:19 UTC